Algarve Training 2009

Escaping from the frankly rubbish Scottish weather in March to get some quality and quantity into the training has been a priority for Alan Derrick and long-time former Harrier Jimmy Stewart for the last 11 years. This year was no exception and they were joined for the second year in a row by Stuart Gibson on the 2:09 Events Algarve Training Camp from 5th to 14th March.

Located in the secluded resort of Falesia, 400m from one of the Algarve's most famous beaches, the Spring training camp has been organised for the last 26 years by former London marathon winner Mike Gratton and his company 2:09 Events. Geared mainly as a pre-London training camp, the participants reflect a wide range of running abilities from relative beginners to seasoned veterans and club runners (and non-running partners there for the holiday). The regular coaches include Mike himself and 1963 European 5000m champion Bruce Tulloh (still a formidable runner at the age of 73). This year the coaching staff were boosted by the addition of Paul Evans, two times Olympic 10000m finalist (with a sub-28 minute 10k pb), winner of the Chicago Marathon (2:08), 2nd at New York and 3rd at London and a thorougly nice chap. Paul's job was to take the "fast" pack which included Stuart and I. The final element of this camp is the weather and once again we were blessed with wall to wall sunshine, cloudless skies and temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees C. Before leaving for Portugal on Thursday 5th March, my final session on Wednesday evening was a speed session, teetering around the icy road within Calderglen Country Park. What a difference a day makes!

The training comprises a morning run (8am before it gets too hot and to give plenty of recovery time) of 5 or 6 miles on dirt tracks and paths along the cliff tops, through the orange groves or along the beach (photo shows Stuart in the blue vest and shorts and Paul Evans in black on the left on a steady training run). The rest of the day is holiday time by the pool, on the beach, visiting the local attractions, eating ice cream, cakes or whatever else takes your fancy. The afternoon session is at 4pm, the first of which is a 1-mile time trial on the track to rank everyone into an appropriate pack for the rest of the training. Stuart was the class act here, improving his pb by 6 seconds to record a time of 4:39. Meanwhile, I hit a major milestone from the wrong direction, failing to break 5 minutes for a mile for the first time in my life (5:05). It was no great surprise on current form. Former sub 4-minute miler Paul Evans mysteriously recorded a time of around 5:27 (in his defence, he is 47 now and suffering from years of marathon training).

Two further afternoon sessions were taken up with tough pyramid sessions on the undulating Almond Blossom cross-country course and a third afternoon session was a 6 x 600m track session at mile pace (was supposed to be 5k pace but runners will be runners!). Yoga, core-stability and pilates sessions were also organised most afternoons for those who fancied giving that a try.

Towards the end of the first week, a 5 mile cross-country handicap race takes place in the morning. By this time many of the runners were decidely second-hand, especially me, having covered many more miles than usual during the week. The handicap is based on the mile time trial with some recognition given to previous 10k pb's and previous history at this event. It was therefore no surprise that Stuart found himself running off scratch, starting two and a half minutes after me and some 33:30 after the first runner away, 79 year old Norman Bowers (who has been to all 26 training camps). It was more of a surprise to find the aforementioned two times Olympic 10000m finalist, Chicago Marathon winner, sub 4 minute miler, etc starting two and a half minutes in front of me (I will hear no more complaints about my Xmas handicap handicapping!). Anyway, it all unfolded quite well with the faster guys all closing up towards the end. In terms of scratch times, Stuart was fastest (27:30ish), I was second (29:51 another big pw) and first M40 and Paul Evans was 3rd.

The prize giving BBQ is held in the evening of the race (photo shows Stuart being presented with his prize by Paul Evans) before retiring to our "local" the Neptuno Bar for a mega Karaoke session. Having set a high standard last year, Stuart had no option but to take centre stage again this year and to raise his game. This he did with the benefit of a kilt, displaying the versatility of a middle and long distance runner by covering a Bon Jovi number for starters and finishing with a wee blast of Abba. I meanwhile provided backing vocals to a wide range of artistes.

Over the 9 days, I completed 14 running sessions, covering 72 miles and, amazingly, came back feeling well rested (although my long-term foot injury is not surprisingly somewhat worse). There is no doubt that health and injuries allowing, we will all be back again next year.

Alan